For most writers, there is no greater thrill than hearing your name announced as the winner of a writing award. Winning writing contests will embark you on a journey that will ignite your passion, boost your career, and propel your writing to extraordinary heights. So, grab your pen, buckle up, and get ready to explore the myriad of opportunities that await! Beyond Participation Awards Unlike children’s sports leagues, where participation awards are common, the world of writing follows a different course. Publishers and agents seek...
read moreFor most authors, the ultimate goal is to get their work in the hands of as many readers as possible. However, in a saturated book market, getting noticed can be a challenge. Thankfully, indie authors have developed two powerful strategies—price promotions and promo stacking—to increase their chances of success. By strategically planning a promo stack with a price drop, you can create buzz around your book, attract new readers, and boost sales. Engaged readers can provide valuable insights through book reviews, ARC feedback, and suggestions,...
read moreRecently, I’ve seen some scuttlebutt talking about how ads don’t convert. Below is my response to that, but the TLDR is that yes, ads do work. Not only do they work, but they’re crucial. Crucial to get visible, reach your ideal readers, and grow your audience network. Let’s start way back in early 2017. I kept seeing authors posting about how they tried ads on Facebook and AMS and didn’t see a return–this was the genesis of my “Help! My Facebook Ads Suck” book. I wanted to show people that they *do* work. You just need...
read moreFor many authors, especially those embarking on their first publishing journey, the world of book promotion can feel like a vast, intimidating ocean. Yet, in this digital age, various innovative platforms and strategies can be utilized for effective book marketing. One of the most powerful among them is Group Promotions, a game-changing approach that brings together authors in mutually beneficial ways. The Magic of Group Promotions Group promotions, simply put, is a strategy where multiple authors pool their resources to promote their books...
read moreBlogging has changed a lot since it became popular in the mid-2000s. What used to be a term for an online diary now refers to publishing content on a platform you own and manage, like your author website. More specifically, it’s an online content marketing strategy where you write articles and conduct interviews that are then shared on social media and discovered through search engines. As an author, you may be wondering how your blog fits in to your marketing strategy. Keep reading for four tips for using your blog as a marketing tool. 1....
read moreHave you ever considered how to make a writer’s conference work for you? Yes. Any writing conference you attend, you can put to work for you. What do I mean by work? I mean taking advantage of all the benefits the conference has to offer. That can include a plethora of items. For example, have you pitched an idea to teach a workshop? Teaching is a great way to not only learn more about your subject to make sure you’re up-to-date on the latest information, trends or craft skills, but it’s a great way to gain publicity. Everyone who views the...
read moreI hear this question almost every time I host a writing retreat or WriterCon: When do I need permission? To write? Never. Wait around for that and you’ll never publish anything. To mention celebrities in my book? Never. But I would be careful about what you say. Why offend? You don’t need a lawsuit in your life. To mention real-life places? Never, but again, don’t ask for trouble. If the description is going to be negative in some way, make it up, like my make-believe country club in Cruel Justice. There are country clubs in Tulsa, but since...
read moreBook Brush is a software company that provides tools and resources for authors to create professional-quality marketing materials, promo graphics and more for their books. As a company that is dedicated to serving authors in the author niche, Book Brush has always been passionate about helping authors succeed in their writing careers. From the beginning, Book Brush has been committed to providing innovative and affordable marketing solutions that are tailored to the needs of authors in the author niche. As a result, Book Brush has become the...
read moreDo you really need an author website? YES. THE END. OK, Let me tell you WHY you need one, what it should contain, and how to make the most of it. I’ll also outline some trends and ideas to help future-proof your site and we’ll look at how you can make your website sell more books. OWN IT! Your rules, your house. You need a home on the internet. Somewhere for people to find you, to get in touch, and to get to know you. It’s your hub to create relationships and trust with your reader, a place where you control the design, and the content 100%...
read moreThe literary world is very competitive, and, when it comes to marketing, it can be especially hard for us independent authors. In addition to writing, unless we hire someone to market for us, we have the added burden of handling our own marketing. This can be time consuming, and, at times, down right frustrating. That said, it can be done. This blog post provides some great examples for creating your own book marketing images. As co-author of the Noelle Vella brand, I’ve found that creating either posts or videos to market our books, and...
read more